DYER | Town Council members are cool to the idea of a separate park community fund, preferring that all donations, park-related or otherwise, be handled through the Dyer Community Foundation.

The point of the Community Foundation, established two years ago with the help of Legacy Foundation of Merrillville, was to have "one central body to consolidate things," Councilman Steve Kramer said.

"It's the same reason we established the Community Events panel, so there'd be one place for all (activities), instead of everyone going off on their own."

Kramer and Town Council President Robert Rybicki also told the Park Board that officials are concerned that different entities will be chasing after the same dollars, further complicating the donation process.

The Park Board had discussed the notion of setting up its own fund, with the Legacy Foundation's help, at its January meeting.

Board member Kathleen Kick said during February's meeting that a fund dedicated strictly to parks and recreation appeared to be an advantage for the department.

"We have a lot of (projects) to do," she said.

But Town Attorney Bill Enslen said anyone making a donation to the Dyer Community Foundation can specify that the money should go to the parks.

The notion of a park fund was only in the talking stages, Parks Director Mark Heintz said. He and Park Board members agreed it might be worth their while to appoint a liaison from their board to the foundation.